Nothing is more important to success in the garden good soil. Time spent fertilizing, watering and tending to plants is necessary, but this time is almost a waste if the soil you’re working with is not in good condition. Fall is an excellent time to step back and analyze how well your garden performed during the summer, and to make improvements to the soil.

Soil is formed when rock is broken down by climate and vegetation over a period of time. Soil is nothing more than weathered rock fragments and decaying remains of plants and animals.

Most soils have three distinct layers – surface, subsoil and bottom. The surface layer is a coarse layer containing more organic matter than the other soil layers and the layer that people pay the greatest attention to. This layer is the most fertile and has the greatest concentration of plant roots. Plants obtain much of their nutrients and water from the surface soil.

The subsoil layer is finer and firmer than the surface soil and serves as support for the surface layer. The subsoil layer is a storage space for water and nutrients for plants, a temperature regulator of the soil and supplies air for the roots of plants. The bottom layer is decomposed rock. It is not hard like rock, but may show the form or structure of the original rocks.

Soil texture refers to the proportional amount of sand, silt and clay in a soil. Texture and soil structure affect the moisture holding capacity of soil, permeability, capacity to hold and furnish nutrients, tillage operations and erosion.

Our soils in the southeastern part of Kansas have a high clay content to it. The clay in the soil is what makes the soil stick to your shoes when the soil is wet. Many refer to our soil as “gumbo.”

One way to address a heavy clay soil and to improve the soil texture is to add organic matter. Organic matter includes such items as manure, leaves, and grass clippings that have been composted. Earthworms, insects, bacteria and fungi use the organic matter as food, breaking it down into humus. Through this process, materials are made available for use by growing plants. In a heavy clay soil, the organic matter allows water to move more freely and loosens the tight clay, which makes the soil easier to work.

Organic material can be direct applied to gardens and flowerbeds this time of year and allowed to compost directly in the soil. Add two to four inches of organic material and till into the soil. If the soil is dry, apply water to begin the decomposition process. After about two weeks you can repeat the process with another application of organic material. The organic material will decompose over the winter and soil will be ready for spring planting.

Sand is sometimes suggested as an amendment material for clay soils. However, there is a good reason to be cautious about using sand. For sand to be effective at breaking up a clay soil, sand grains must touch one another so there is pore space between grains that can hold air and water. If the grains don’t touch, the clay fills in the void between sand particles leaving no room for pores. This is the same principle used to make concrete and the result is somewhat the same. In other words – do not use sand!

Before doing any amendments to the soil, I recommend doing a soil test through the Extension office. For more information on how to take a soil sample, please give me a call.

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The Science of Happiness

What does science say about happiness? Is there any research on what creates happiness? Thanks to recent studies, we now know how to define and create happiness in our lives. In a recent webinar sponsored by Wyandotte County K-State Research and Extension, certified nurse leader and health coach Michelle Lane explained the facts of happiness.

Happiness can be defined as a combination of how satisfied you are with your life plus how good you feel on a day-to-day basis. Research tells us that 10% of happiness is determined by your circumstances, 50% is biologically determined, and 40% is controlled by your thoughts, actions, and behaviors. Contrary to what many people think, happiness is not about having the best or newest things or having lots of money.

Your outlook on life and the way you view the world around you play a big role in your level of happiness. Human brains are deeply intertwined with a mind-body connection, meaning that our thoughts and feelings directly impact our overall health. Happy people are less likely to have cardiovascular disease, have higher immunity, heal faster, have a healthier diet, and live longer lives. With over 40 years of research from Johns Hopkins, we know that diseases progress quicker in people with a negative outlook. By choosing to be happy, you can add 7 ½ years to your life! Not only does it feel good to be happy, but it is also good for our health.

A large part of our mindset is linked to four major chemicals produced in our gut. When we are fetuses inside the womb, the brain and brainstem actually pinch off from the cells that make up the stomach. This is why gut health is so important and why the saying “You are what you eat” actually has some truth behind it. Dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin, and endorphins are the magical quartet of hormones that affect how we feel. When we accomplish something, dopamine is released into our bloodstream. Oxytocin is the love hormone and is triggered through social bonding, eye contact, and attentiveness. Giving hugs is a great way to release this hormone for a feel-good buzz. Serotonin flows when you feel important or significant. Gratitude is a great way to recognize someone or praise them, which increases serotonin. UV rays also help create serotonin so getting a little bit of sun each day (20 min) can boost your mood. Finally, endorphins are released in response to pain and stress. They help relieve anxiety and depression. Strenuous exercise, spicy foods, and cold showers release lots of endorphins.

Besides a good diet, what can we do throughout our day to increase happiness? Establishing deep, nurturing relationships with others can create a feeling of belonging, fulfillment, and overall happiness. Feeling connected with others that we truly care about helps alleviate stress. Physical markers such as blood pressure or cholesterol have less to do with how long we live than the social interactions we have as we age. Isolation and loneliness have been proven to decrease life expectancy. Be intentional about new experiences, help others, be kind, and be grateful. Doing these things will create happiness that is long-lasting.

If you are interested in watching the webinar and learning more about this topic, it can be found on YouTube at https://bit.ly/KSREhappiness. For more information, contact Cassidy Lutz at [email protected] or by calling 620-625-8620.

The Southwind Extension District, along with the Bourbon County Conservation District, Kansas Department of Wildlife, and Kansas Bankers Association, will again be holding the Conservation Awards Program for 2023. This year, we will be giving awards in the following categories: Energy Conservation, Water Quality, Water Conservation, Soil Conservation, Windbreaks, and Wildlife Habitat.

The purpose of this program is to stimulate a greater interest in the conservation of the agricultural and natural resources of Kansas by giving recognition to the farmers and landowners who have made outstanding progress in practicing conservation on their farms. Public nominations can be made by any person in the county. They can be sent to the Southwind Extension office by November 10, 2023. Please visit http://www.agronomy.kstate.edu/extension, or contact Chad at the Southwind Extension Office in Fort Scott: 620-233-3720.

Amanda Clasen- Community Vitality Agent    

October 2023

Crisp autumn air will make anyone want to be outside and enjoying the seasons changing. Spring and Fall are the most opportune times of the year to work on making your yard and community appearance more inviting. Fall allows preparation for winter months ahead while spring invites us out of our “hibernation” to prepare and enjoy the incoming spring months. Organizing a community cleanup is a great way for community members and neighbors to make a change and show pride in their local community while improving the physical appearances.

Hosting a community clean-up campaign also helps improve the health of the community by eliminating habitation for rodents and insects to live, provides an avenue for residents to become more involved and show visible results and will create a good impression on visitors and potential employers. Organizing your Clean up campaign into seven areas will help make your campaign a successful event.

K-State Community Specialist Nadine Sigle & Former Community PRIDE Program Coordinator Daniel Kahl offer the following advise on how to plan and organize a successful Community Clean up.

1. Organize for success: A Clean-up effort should start with some planning and organizing from a group willing to take initiative to form a core planning committee. Those on the committee could include, but not limited to: Realtors, health professionals, parents, Chamber members, Elected officials, Local media, Civic/youth Organizations, Churches.
2. Plan for Clear Goals: Take photos to document and assist in prioritizing projects. Before and after photos are helpful if reporting is necessary to donated services or resources for the clean up effort. When Ranking projects, consider health, visual impact, safety, resources available to your effort and the likely hood of a successful project completion. K-State Research and Extension is an excellent resource to help in identifying areas of concerns.
3. Develop a plan: Develop a detailed plan that includes what projects are being completed and by who. Also include if there is a deadline for the completion of the project. If there are protentional cost involved in the clean up effort, develop a budget and where the financing or fundraising efforts may come from.
4. Advertise: A good advertising campaign will get others in the community excited to participate in the effort of the community beautification. Contact local media, post pictures and information to local social media stories as well as prepare flyers to be placed around town.
5. Volunteers: Be prepared to accommodate individuals that show up to assist after hearing about the project. Think of Friendships, family network, co-works, etc., that may provide resources or helpful contacts.
6. Execute your Project: The Safety of all volunteers should be the most important part of your execution. Depending on weather situations, have water and drinks available. Encourage workers to come appropriately dressed (Bright colors, appropriate shoes, etc.). Make sure all volunteers know where to take litter that is collected during the clean up effort.
7. Sustain the effort: Make sure to publicly thank all volunteers and cooperating businesses for their efforts in the clean-up. Recognizing a “Yard of the Week” or “Most Improved Property” are great ways to help sustain efforts. Use before and after photos to show the effect of the clean up and to keep the excitement of the beautification going long after the effort.

Find more information on conducting a Community Clean up in your community in “Conducting a Community Clean-up/Fix-up Campaign” publication from K-State Research & Extension found at http://bit.ly/1HU7Bcq, or contact Community Vitality Agent Amanda Clasen and [email protected] or any Southwind District Extension office.  Make sure to join our Monthly e-newsletter for Health and Wellness at http://bit.ly/southwindnews